The Scottish Government reacted angrily at tyre weekend to a decision by Iceland to increase their fishing quotas.
Scottish Fisheries Minister Richard Lochhead condemned Iceland’s announcement that they would set a unilateral mackerel; quota, increasing their catch proposals for 2011 by 17,000 tonnes to 147,000 tonnes.
He said the move amounted to a flagrant disregard for fisheries conservation.
He also pointed out that both Iceland and the Faroe Islands had walked away from recent talks with the EU and Norway on a new international deal that would have helped safeguard the future of the valuable mackerel fishery.
“Given Iceland’s actions in walking away from the international talks last month, it is sadly no great surprise that they have followed this up with these irresponsible actions in unilaterally increase their mackerel quota for next year”, he said.
“ They are not adhering to scientific advice and are totally motivated by short term gain. It is now more important that ever that the international community stands together and takes strong action before it is too late for one of Europe’s biggest and most valuable stocks”.
Mr Lochhead added that the valuable mackerel fishery, worth £135 million to the Scottish economy in 2009-had been sustainable managed for the past ten years by Scottish fishermen, as well as others across the EU and Norway.
